Research highlights impact of autism on boys and girls

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately one in 50 American children fall somewhere on the autism spectrum. Awareness of this condition and its potential treatments – including hyperbaric oxygen therapy– has grown by leaps and bounds in recent years. However, a new study from the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom has highlighted an oversight in past research that must be addressed for more effective care.

According to a university press release, autism affects the minds of males and females differently, and may even cause girls to experience "neuroanatomical 'masculinization'," – meaning that their brains don't show the same characteristic variations that exist between boys and girls without the condition.

"Females with autism have long been under-recognized and probably misunderstood. The findings suggest that we should not blindly assume that everything found in males with autism applies to females. This is an important example of the diversity within the 'spectrum,'" explained research leader Dr Meng-Chuan Lai.

As of yet, there is no cure for autism, though various forms of therapy and dietary restrictions are often used to help address its symptoms. At Longevity Centres of America, we offer hyperbaric oxygen therapy, which some families have also turned to as a part of their comprehensive approach to treating this complex condition. To learn more about this treatment, and other services we provide at our Houston location, contact our anti-aging doctors today. We specialize in medical weight loss, hormone pellet implants, IV chelation and more.